Rita Ora is the new face on the judging panel of Vh1’s music reality show, X Factor. The Hot Right Now hitmaker has been hired to boost the plunging viewership of the show, which is in its 12th season. The 24-year-old British singer was earlier seen coaching the contestants on rival music talent series, The Voice UK. Ora seems to be living up to the responsibility entrusted in her by the show’s creator, Simon Cowell. While she’s being a strict mentor to her women contestants, she’s already hit a few bad notes with her co-judges. Ora tells us more about her new stint.

What advice do you give your contestants when they make headlines for the wrong reasons?
It’s so easy to get sucked in. We are girls. We are humans. But the thing is, it can’t distract you from your goals. Sometimes I look at the girls and I’m like “Why are you guys on your phones so hard?” I see them scrolling and getting upset. And it affects me. I am one of those judges who is really protective. I need to make sure their work ethic is up to scratch and they don’t get distracted by the cameras and the headlines. If you do a good job, that’s all that matters.

What about finding balance between their career and relationship while in the spotlight?
Just work, and work until you achieve what you want to achieve, even if you haven’t figured out the formula yet. I would like to see my girls focusing on the job. I’m a bit strict!

Basically, work before boys?
For me right now, in my mentor state, that’s what I’m doing. But if someone finds love then I’ll be at the wedding for sure!

So, will we see you in the next season?
Can we get through one first? Let me just survive. Let me make sure I do the right thing first. But I’m not giving you a yes and I’m not giving you a no. This is probably the best experience I have had in a long time.
Monday and Tuesday, 9 pm on Vh1
— Team Indulge